Steve Pegram brings more than 15 years of experience working with high-profile brands, sports and entertainment properties across multiple marketing and promotional platforms and has been appointed director of stakeholder communications. Most recently, he has worked with Motorsports Management International, the leading driver management firm, and Red Bull Energy Drink, where he oversaw motorsports communications and played an instrumental role in launching the start-up Red Bull Racing NASCAR team. Pegram’s first involvement with NASCAR was more than a decade ago in servicing the Miller Brewing sports marketing account for Wunderman, a Young & Rubicam-owned integrated marketing agency.
King, who will be based at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., has worked at Talladega Superspeedway for the past 6½ years. She was the track’s director of public relations from 2004-08 before being promoted to senior director of communications and consumer marketing in 2008. King was public relations director at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C., from 1994 to 2004.
In her new role, King will assist in providing strategic leadership for all competition-related public relations efforts with specific responsibilities geared towards the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
“Kristi brings a solid background in our sport along with a high level of energy and creativity,” said Kerry Tharp, NASCAR senior director of communications, competition. “We’re excited about her joining our team.”
Pegram will play a critical role in leading NASCAR’s collaboration with the marketing and communications teams at various entities throughout the industry, especially race teams and track operators. Pegram will be responsible for working collaboratively with the IMC leadership team and across all NASCAR departments – most notably Industry Relations – to identify and then strategically mobilize NASCAR resources to support key promotional initiatives.
NASCAR veteran Jennifer Powell has been promoted to senior manager, stakeholder communications and will report to Pegram as they collaborate on establishing the department.
“Steve’s relationships and strategic experience will be vital to extending NASCAR’s communications efforts with key stakeholders in the sport,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer.
Pegram will be located at the NASCAR Plaza in Charlotte, N.C., and will report directly to the chief communications officer.
- NASCAR, Press Release
